System and method for providing weather radar status

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media relating to providing weather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft are provided. A method comprises transmitting scan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display device. The display device is configured to display an indication that the weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/246,743, titled “System and Method for Enabling Display of TextualWeather Information on an Aviation Display,” which is being filedconcurrently with the present application and is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of weather radarsystems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to providingan indication of the status of the weather radar system on a displaydevice.

Pilots use weather radar systems to detect and avoid hazardous weather.The radar return signals are processed to provide graphical images to aradar display, for example, a display located in the cockpit of theaircraft. The radar display may be a color multi-function display (MFD)unit that provides color graphical images to represent the severity andlocation of weather. Some aircraft weather radar systems are alsocapable of other types of hazard detection, such as turbulence detectionand/or windshear detection. These types of weather radar systems canalso provide indications of the presence and/or location of turbulenceor other hazards.

Weather radar systems often are not connected to a synchronous display.When using a display that is not synchronous, users (e.g., pilots) mayhave difficulty determining real-time latency and responsiveness of thesystem to weather events.

Conventional radar systems do not provide information about theoperational state of the system, which can lead to a misinterpretationof information provided by the weather radar system. Conventionalweather radar systems can malfunction and become frozen in a particularoperation or on a particular display screen. During such as malfunction,users may be unsure whether the weather hazard assessments are actuallytaking place or whether the system is malfunctioning (e.g., if theweather radar system or display is frozen in a particular operation oron a particular display screen). Additionally, users may be unaware ofwhen a scanning operation for a particular weather cell has beencompleted and/or what, if any, displayed weather cells have been scannedby the weather radar system. Thus, there is a need for a system thatprovides weather radar system status information to users so that theusers have greater awareness of the operation of the weather radarsystem. Further, there is a need for a weather radar system that allowsa pilot to judge latency or responsiveness of the system to weatherevents when used with a synchronous display. Further still, there is aneed for a weather radar system that provides a pilot with an indicationthat an operation is being performed by the weather radar system (e.g.,an advanced or non-standard scanning operation) and reassures the pilotthat the system has not malfunctioned.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of providingweather data generated by a weather radar system of an aircraft. Themethod comprises providing scan status data indicating that a weathercell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a displaydevice. The display device is configured to display an indication thatthe weather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scanstatus data.

Another embodiment relates to a system comprising a processing circuitconfigured to provide scan status data or a scan status signalindicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weatherradar system to a display device. The display device is configured todisplay an indication that the weather cell is currently being scannedafter receiving the scan status data or the scan status signal.

Another embodiment relates to a computer-readable medium havinginstructions stored thereon. The instructions are executable by aprocessor to implement a method comprising transmitting first scanstatus data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned bythe weather radar system to a display device. The display device isconfigured to display a first indication that the weather cell iscurrently being scanned after receiving the first scan status data. Themethod further comprises transmitting second scan status data after theweather radar system has finished scanning the weather cell. The displaydevice is configured to display a second indication that the scan of theweather cell has been completed after receiving the second scan statusdata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an aircraft control centeraccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sideview illustration of a portion of an aircraftincluding a weather radar system according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an environment visible through thefront windshield of an aircraft according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 4-7A are schematic plan view illustrations of displays of weatherradar data according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a display image that may be usedto provide information regarding various weather cells according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a schematic illustration of a display image that may be usedto provide detailed information about a particular weather cellaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7D is a schematic illustration of a user interface display imagethat may be used to display scan status information and receive userinput regarding parameters of radar scanning processes according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a general block diagram of a system for providing weatherradar data according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a more detailed block diagram of the processing circuit shownin FIG. 8 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a process for providing weather radarstatus data according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process for providing weather radarstatus data according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the Figures, systems and methods are providedthat may be used to convey weather radar system status information to auser (e.g., a pilot). A processing circuit may be configured to receivea selection of one or more weather cells to track and may be configuredto scan the selected weather radar cells using a weather radar system.In some embodiments, the weather cells may be selected manually by auser (e.g., by selecting the weather cells on a display device using auser input device). In other embodiments, the processing circuit may beconfigured to automatically determine which cells to track based onpredetermined parameters.

In one embodiment, the processing circuit may be configured to determinewhen the weather radar system is scanning a particular weather cell andprovide a status indication to a display device. For example, theprocessing circuit may receive data from the weather radar systemindicating that the weather radar system is currently scanning a firstcell. After receiving the data from the weather radar system, theprocessing circuit may be configured to transmit data to the displaydevice indicating to the user that the first cell is currently beingscanned. Once the weather radar system has completed the scan of thefirst cell, the processing circuit may be configured to transmit data tothe display device indicating that the scan has been completed. In someembodiments, the display device may be configured to display differentindicators or icons for different weather cells based on whether theweather cells have been selected for scanning, are currently beingscanned, scanning has been completed, scan data is no longer current,etc. In various embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed hereinmay provide a user with indications regarding the latency andresponsiveness of the hazard assessments performed on the weather cells,which radar cells are being tracked at any particular point in time,when the radar has completed its assessment of particular weather cells,whether the radar is actually performing assessments (e.g., as opposedto sitting idle or malfunctioning), whether radar data is current orold, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustration of an aircraft control centeror cockpit 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Aircraftcontrol center 10 includes flight displays 20 which are generally usedto increase visual range and to enhance decision-making abilities. In anexemplary embodiment, flight displays 20 may provide an output from aradar system of the aircraft. For example, flight displays 20 mayprovide a top-down view, a horizontal view, a vertical profile view, orany other view of weather and/or terrain detected by a radar system onthe aircraft. The views of weather and/or terrain may include monochromeor color graphical representations of the weather and/or the terrain.Graphical representations of weather or terrain may include anindication of altitude of those objects or the altitude relative to theaircraft. Aircraft control center 10 may further include terrainawareness and warning system (TAWS) user interface elements (flashinglights, displays, display elements on a weather radar display, displayelements on a terrain display, audio alerting devices, etc.) configuredto warn the pilot of potentially threatening terrain features. The TAWSsystem may be configured to, for example, give the pilots of theaircraft a “pull up” indication (e.g., audibly, visually, etc.) whenterrain is detected within an altitude of danger to the aircraft.

In FIG. 2, the front of an aircraft is shown with aircraft controlcenter 10 and nose 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. A radarsystem 200 (e.g., a weather radar system or other radar system) isgenerally located within nose 100 of the aircraft or within aircraftcontrol center 10 of the aircraft. According to various exemplaryembodiments, radar system 200 may be located on the top of the aircraftor on the tail of the aircraft instead. Radar system 200 may include orbe coupled to an antenna system. A variety of different antennas orradar systems may be used with the present invention (e.g., a splitaperture antenna, a monopulse antenna, a sequential lobbing antenna,etc.).

Radar system 200 generally works by sweeping a radar beam horizontallyback and forth across the sky at one or more tilt angles. Some radarsystems conduct a first horizontal sweep 104 directly in front of theaircraft and a second horizontal sweep 106 downward at some tilt angle108 (e.g., 20 degrees down). Returns from different tilt angles can beelectronically merged to form a composite image for display on anelectronic display, such as a flight display 20 in aircraft controlcenter 10. Returns can also be processed to, for example, distinguishbetween terrain and weather, to determine the height of terrain, or todetermine the height of weather. In one embodiment, radar system 200 maybe a WXR-2100 MultiScan™ radar system or similar system manufactured byRockwell Collins. According to other embodiments, radar system 200 maybe an RDR-4000 system, an IntuVue™ 3-D radar system, or similar systemmanufactured by Honeywell International, Inc.

Radar system 200 may also sweep a radar beam vertically back and forth.Results from the different vertical tilt angles may be analyzed todetermine the characteristics of weather. For example, the altitude,range, and vertical height of the weather may be determined using thevertical scan results. These results may be used to form an image fordisplay on an electronic display (e.g., flight display 20, etc.). Forexample, a vertical profile view of the weather may be generated. Such aprofile may be used by a pilot to determine height, range, and otherrelevant information that can be utilized by the pilot to change thecourse of the aircraft to avoid the detected weather.

Further information regarding weather radar systems that may be used inconjunction with the systems and methods disclosed herein, according tovarious exemplary embodiments, may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,343,filed Sep. 15, 2004, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,947, filed Mar. 1, 2002,both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present applicationand are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustration of an environment 300 visiblethrough the front windshield of an aircraft (e.g., a pilot's view whenlooking out of cockpit 10) is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. Environment 300 may include portions of airspace in which nosubstantial weather hazards are present and portions of airspace whereweather hazards may be present (e.g., clouded areas). However, it isdifficult for a pilot to determine whether actual weather hazards exist,and what the severity of those hazards may be, merely by looking at theenvironment out of the windshield.

Aircraft may be equipped with weather radar systems to provide furtherinformation about potential weather hazards. Referring now to FIGS. 4-7,plan view displays of weather radar data are shown according toexemplary embodiments. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, a plan viewdisplay image 400 is shown illustrating various weather cells that arein the vicinity of an aircraft. Display image 400 provides a pilot withinformation about the range and bearing from the aircraft to weathercells in proximity to the aircraft. Several weather cells are shown indisplay image 400 as being proximate to the aircraft, including weathercells 405, 410, 415, and 420.

The data shown in display image 400 may be generated using a standardscan pattern of a weather radar system (e.g., horizontal sweeps acrossthe environment in front of and/or to the sides of the aircraft).Display image 400 may be provided to a pilot via a display device (e.g.,using an ARINC 453 or ARINC 661 bus) and may be based on radar-generatedreflectivity data (e.g., measured in decibels or dBZ). Display image 400may be shown when the radar is not tracking any particular cells indetail.

In some circumstances, the pilot may also wish to learn more detailedinformation about potential weather hazards in proximity to theaircraft. The weather radar system may be configured to perform detailedanalysis of one or more identified weather cells or portions of weathercells to determine further information regarding the hazard posed by thecells. For example, advanced analysis may be performed by the weatherradar system to determine a cell-top altitude (e.g., a highest altitudefor the cell) and/or threats contained in the cell, such as lightning,hail, turbulence, etc. In some embodiments, the weather radar system maybe configured to conduct the advanced analysis by performing verticalradar sweeps (e.g., sweeping a range of altitudes above and/or below acurrent altitude of the aircraft) near identified range and bearingtargets and/or across a target bearing. In some embodiments, advancedsweeps of certain cells and standard (e.g., horizontal) sweeps may beperformed in a mixed fashion, for example, such that one or morestandard sweeps are performed, then one or more advanced tracking scansare performed, then a standard sweep is performed again, etc. Performingadvanced analysis of certain cells while also performing standard radarscanning may be referred to as a track while scan operation.

When the weather radar system is performing advanced analysis on aparticular weather cell, it usually temporarily stops scanning in itsstandard (e.g., horizontal) pattern to perform the advanced analysis.Standard radar display systems may not display an indication that theweather radar system has broken out of its normal scanning pattern toperform advanced analysis. In some embodiments, radar display systemsmay simply freeze the current radar display until a new standard radarscan can be performed to update the displayed image. This can bedisconcerting to the pilot; the pilot may be unsure whether the radar isperforming an advanced scan of a particular weather cell or the radarhas malfunctioned. Additionally, without providing further informationto the pilot, the pilot does not know which cell is currently beingtracked, which cells have already been tracked, which cells have notbeen tracked, etc.

To further inform the pilot as to the operation of the weather radarsystem, one or more status indications or icons may be provided in thedisplay image. A generated display image may be based on cell track dataand status information extracted from the radar flight data to displaythe number and state of weather cells being scanned or tracked by theweather radar. The display application may annunciate each cell'sposition and scan status as determined by the radar. The statusindicators or icons may be superimposed on the normal weather radardisplay data and may be provided in different (e.g., contrasting)colors, patterns, or symbology than the normal weather display data.Additionally, different icons may be shown in different colors,patterns, symbology, etc. to indicate different radar status data, asdiscussed in further detail below. In some embodiments, instead of or inaddition to providing indicators, the weather cell may be changed toindicate different states, such as by brightening cells being scannedand darkening cells where scanning is not active, circling an entireactive cell on the display, etc. The indicators may be provided at aposition proximate to the weather cell with which it is associated toenable the pilot to determine which weather cell is being tracked. Inanother embodiment, indicators may be associated with weather cellidentifiers (e.g., alphanumerical, color, etc.) representing the cellswith which they are related. The persistence of the indicators may bedirectly tied to the radar system's internal cell state tracking logic.

In some embodiments, the display system may be tailored to thecapability of each cockpit type or aircraft. An icon or outline may beproduced in a normal radar output display bus (e.g., ARINC 453, ARINC661, etc.), and a visual annunciation may be triggered for displays thatcontain the assessment activity. Later display sweeps may return to thenormal display to cue the pilot that the assessments are not current.

One type of status indicator (e.g., a tracking indicator) may be used toindicate that a cell is being tracked by the weather radar system. Atracking indicator may indicate to the pilot that the weather radarsystem has identified the cell (e.g., using a normal horizontal scanningprocedure) and that the cell is being monitored (e.g., along with othercells in the proximity of the aircraft) by the weather radar system. Insome embodiments, the cells indicated by the tracking indicator may formthe set of identified cells for which advanced scanning operations maybe performed by the radar system.

Another status indicator (e.g., a currently scanning indicator) may beused to indicate a cell that is currently being scanned by the weatherradar system. The scanning operation may include a vertical scan of aparticular cell or portion of a cell, a special type of horizontal scan(e.g., a mini-horizontal scan) that may differ from a full standardhorizontal scan, or another type of scanning operation (e.g., auxiliaryscanning operation, such as a vertical scan). This currently scanningindicator may help assure the pilot that the weather radar system isactually tracking or performing advanced analysis on a particularweather cell and is not malfunctioning, despite the fact that theobjects shown in display image 500 may not substantially change whilethe weather cell is being tracked. In some embodiments, the currentlyscanning indicator (and/or other indicators described herein) may beconfigured to move (e.g., via animation), change colors, blink, etc. tofurther assure the pilot that activity is being performed by the weatherradar system.

Another indicator (e.g., a scan completed indicator) may be used toindicate that a cell has previously been tracked, or that a tracking ordetailed scanning operation on a particular cell has been completed. Thescan completed indicator may indicate to the pilot that advanced weatherhazard data (e.g., cell-top altitude, presence of threats such aslightning, hail, turbulence, etc.) is available for the particular cell.In some embodiments, the display may be configured to display theadvanced weather hazard data (e.g., automatically upon completion of thetracking scan, based on user input such as moving a cursor over the cellor the scan completed indicator, etc.).

In some circumstances, weather conditions may change rapidly and weatherhazard data for a cell collected by the radar may become out of date orexpired after a certain amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.). In some embodiments, anindication may be provided on the display after a predetermined amountof time has elapsed since the scan of a weather cell has been completedto indicate that the weather data is no longer current. In someembodiments, an indicator (e.g., a scan expired indicator) may beprovided indicating that the cell has been scanned but that the data mayno longer be particularly relevant. In other embodiments, the radardisplay system may be configured to remove the second indicator (e.g.,indicating that the cell has been scanned) from the display image (e.g.,such that it appears to the pilot as if the weather cell has not beenscanned). In various embodiments, the predetermined amount of time maybe a static value stored in a memory (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.) and/or may be determined oraltered dynamically based on the weather data for the cell received fromthe weather radar system.

Yet another indicator (e.g., a cell selected indicator) may be used toindicate that a cell has been selected to be tracked, but that theweather radar system has not yet tracked the cell. The weather radarsystem may be configured to automatically select one or more cells to betracked from among a plurality of cells in the proximity of theaircraft, for example, based on proximity (e.g., range data) and/ordirection (e.g., bearing data) of the cell to the aircraft, area coveredby the cell (e.g., latitude and longitude boundaries), and/or otherfactors upon which hazard assessment algorithms may be based. The radarsystem may additionally or alternatively be configured to receive aselection of one or more cells to be tracked from the pilot via a userinput device (e.g., cursor control device, bezel keys, touchscreendisplay, etc.) that may be used by the pilot to select the cells asillustrated in the display image. The cell selected indicator may beuseful in providing an indication to the pilot of what cells havealready been selected for tracking by the weather radar system (e.g.,automatically or manually) so the pilot does not repeatedly re-selectcells that have already been selected.

In some embodiments, a different indicator may be used for the cellselected indicator depending on whether the cell was automaticallyselected by the radar system or manually selected by the pilot. This mayenable the user to determine when certain cells have been automaticallyselected for which the pilot may not be interested in obtaining furtherinformation. In some embodiments, an option may be provided to the pilotto cancel the scan of one or more cells (e.g., either manually orautomatically selected). Using this option, the pilot may avoid wastingscan cycles on cells that were automatically selected but for which thepilot is not interested in receiving further information and/or cellsthat the pilot previously manually selected and later changed his mind.In some embodiments, the cell selected indicator for a cell (e.g.,whether manually or automatically selected for tracking) may changestates (e.g., to the first indictor or a different indicator) once theweather radar system begins scanning the cell.

Exemplary embodiments illustrating possible implementations of variousindicators described herein are now provided with reference to FIGS.5-7A. FIGS. 5-7A represent possible plan view radar display images thatmay be provided on a display device as an aircraft is flown in theproximity of a plurality of weather cells. Referring now specifically toFIG. 5, another plan view display image 500 illustrating radar data forthe same weather cells shown in display image 400 is shown according toan exemplary embodiment. Display image 500 includes an icon 505, shownas a circle containing and “X” in display image 500, associated withweather cell 405. Icon 505 indicates that a portion of weather cell 405is currently being scanned by the weather radar system. In someembodiments, each of the weather cells that are being scanned, have beenscanned, are selected to be scanned, etc. may be identified by a uniqueidentifier, such as a number, letter, color, etc. For example, displayimage 500 includes the numeric indicator “146” next to icon 505.

FIG. 6 illustrates another plan view display image 600 that may bedisplayed some time after display image 500 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Display image 600 includes an icon 610 on a second portionof weather cell 405. Icon 610 is the same type of icon as icon 505(e.g., a circle containing an “X”) and indicates that the second portionof weather cell 405 is currently being scanned by the weather radar.Display image 600 also includes an icon 605 at the same position (e.g.,same position with respect to weather cell 405) at which icon 505 wasdisplayed in display image 500. Icon 605 is a different type of iconthan icons 505 and 610 (e.g., a blank circle, or circle that does notcontain an “X”). Icon 605 indicates that the first portion of weathercell 405 was previously scanned by the weather radar system and that thescan is now complete.

FIG. 7A illustrates yet another plan view display image 700 that may bedisplayed some time after display image 600 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Display image 700 includes an icon 710 superimposed overweather cell 410. Icon 710 is of the same type as icons 505 and 610 andindicates to the pilot that weather cell 410 is being actively scannedby the weather radar system. Icon 605 is displayed at the same position(e.g., with respect to cell 405) as in display image 600 and continuesto indicate to the pilot that the first portion of weather cell 405 waspreviously scanned (e.g., recently). Icon 705 is positioned in the sameposition as icon 610 in display image 600, but icon 705 now has the sametype as icon 605, indicating that scanning of the second portion ofweather cell 405 has been completed and weather cell 405 is no longerbeing actively scanned.

Referring now to FIG. 7B, a schematic illustration of a display image720 that may be used to provide information regarding various weathercells is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Image 720 includesa table identifying one or more weather cells that have been scanned bythe weather radar system (e.g., using a standard horizontal scanningpattern). Each of the cells is identified according to a uniqueidentifier 722. The table also includes latitude data 724 and longitudedata 726 for each of the cells that may be determined based on theweather radar scan of the cell (e.g., horizontal scan). The table alsoincludes range data 728 and bearing data 730 representing an approximaterange and bearing, respectively, from the current position of theaircraft to the respective weather cell. In some embodiments, the rangeand bearing data may be dynamically updated to account for aircraftmovement. In some embodiments, image 720 may include one or more usercontrols that may be manipulated by a user via a user input device(e.g., trackball, touchscreen, bezel keys, etc.) to perform certainactions.

Referring now to FIG. 7C, a schematic illustration of a display image740 that may be used to provide detailed information about a particularweather cell is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Displayimage 740 may be configured to provide information about one particularweather cell, such as the weather cell labeled with the identifier 146in FIGS. 5 through 7B. Various data provided in display image 740 mayprovide the pilot with information regarding the severity of theparticular weather cell. For example, image 740 may display one or moreattributes 742 associated with the weather cell. Some attributes mayrelate to the reflectivity measured using the radar beams used to scanthe cell, which can provide an indication of the severity of the riskassociated with the weather cell. Indicators for turbulence, storm topaltitude, and cell growth rate are examples of threat data that may becomputed by weather hazard algorithms that may also help to indicate theseverity of the cell being tracked.

Referring now to FIG. 7D, a schematic illustration of a user interfacedisplay image 770 that may be used to display scan status informationand receive user input regarding parameters of radar scanning processesis shown according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments,image 770 may include a user-selected cells table 778 configured toprovide information about cells that have been selected to be scanned bya user (e.g., using a user input device such as a touchscreen). Table778 may include various information relating to the cells that have beenmanually selected for scanning, such as the latitude and longitude ofthe cells (e.g., the centroid of the cells), the range and bearing fromthe aircraft to the cells, etc. In some embodiments, this informationmay be obtained from a memory prior to the detailed scan of the cellsbeing performed and/or may be based on one or more standard (e.g.,horizontal) scans performed by the weather radar system. In someembodiments, image 770 may include transmission controls 776 that a usermay use to limit the timing of scan commands transmitted to the radarsystem for the manually selected cells.

In some embodiments, image 770 may include a scanned cells table 780that lists tracked cells that have been subjected to a scanning process(e.g., an advanced or auxiliary scanning process). In some embodiments,scanned cells table 780 may include tracked cells that have beenautomatically and/or manually selected for scanning Table 780 may listvarious information about the cells, such as a cell identifier, latitudeand longitude, range and bearing, and/or other types of information.Cells may appear in table 780 during and/or after a scanning process hasbeen performed on the cells. In some embodiments, cells may be removedfrom the table after a certain amount of time has elapsed. The time maybe a static value stored in a memory, dynamically determined by theprocessing circuit based on weather and/or flight conditions, manuallyprovided by the user, and/or determined by some other method.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a radar control system 800including a weather radar system 200 is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. Radar system 200 is installed on the aircraft (e.g., in nose100 of the aircraft or another location) and may be used by the variousdetection systems of the aircraft to detect hazardous conditions. Forexample, radar system 200 may be used by a weather detection system todetect the presence of weather, a PWS system to detect a windshearcondition, or by other radar detection systems of the aircraft.

Radar system 200 is shown to include a radar antenna 806 connected(e.g., directly or indirectly) to an antenna controller andreceiver/transmitter circuit 804. Antenna controller andreceiver/transmitter circuit 804 may include any number of mechanical orelectrical circuitry components or modules for steering a radar beamgenerated by radar antenna 806. For example, circuit 804 may beconfigured to mechanically tilt radar antenna 806 in a first directionwhile mechanically rotating radar antenna 806 in a second direction. Inother embodiments, a radar beam may be electronically swept along afirst axis and mechanically swept along a second axis. In yet otherembodiments, the radar beam may be entirely electronically steered(e.g., by electronically adjusting the phase of signals provided fromadjacent apertures in radar antenna 806, etc.). Circuit 804 may beconfigured to conduct the actual signal generation that results in aradar beam being provided from radar antenna 806 and to conduct thereception of returns received at radar antenna 806.

Radar return data is provided from circuit 804 to processing electronics802 for data processing. For example, processing electronics 802 may usethe radar return data to determine if a hazardous condition has beendetected or is likely to exist. Processing electronics 802 may also beconfigured to provide control signals or control logic to circuit 804.For example, depending on various inputs, processing electronics 802 maybe configured to cause circuit 804 to change behavior or radar beampatterns. In other words, processing electronics 802 may include theprocessing logic for operating radar system 200.

Processing electronics 802 are further shown in communication withaircraft sensors 812. In general, sensors 812 may be any number ofsensors that measure aircraft parameters related to the state of theaircraft. For example, sensors 812 may include temperature sensors,humidity sensors, infrared sensors, altitude sensors, pressure sensors,fuel gauges, airspeed sensors, throttle position sensors, ground speedsensors, pitot-static tubes, a gyroscope, a global positioning system(GPS), or any other aircraft-mounted sensors that may be used to providedata to processing electronics 802. It should be appreciated thatsensors 812 (or any other component shown connected to processingelectronics 802) may be indirectly or directly connected to theprocessing electronics 802. For example, processing electronics 802 mayreceive a temperature reading from a temperature sensor via a directconnection and a throttle position received indirectly from a positionsensor via an engine controller.

Processing electronics 802 are further shown in communication withavionics equipment 810. In general, avionics equipment 810 may includeother electronic control systems in the aircraft. For example, avionicsequipment 810 may include a flight management system, a navigationsystem, a backup navigation system, or another aircraft systemconfigured to provide inputs to processing electronics 802. For example,avionics equipment 810 may include the landing gear system of theaircraft and provide information such as whether or not the landing gearis deployed, a weight on wheels determination, or other parameters toprocessing electronics 802. In another example, avionics equipment 810may provide controls inputs, such as a desired throttle or power levelto processing electronics 802.

Processing electronics 802 are additionally shown in communication withdisplay 20 (e.g., via an ARINC 453, ARINC 661, or other type of displaybus), audio device 814, and other user interface devices 816 (e.g., anelectronic device that receives input from a user or conveys informationto a user). For example, processing electronics 802 may provideinformation about detected weather or other radar-related information todisplay 20. In some cases, processing electronics 802 may also receiveinput from display 20, audio device 814, or other user interface devices816. For example, processing electronics 802 may receive a request for adifferent radar view or an updated trajectory via display 20 or via adial in other user interface devices 816.

Processing electronics 802 may be configured to transmit radar scanstatus data to display 20. For example, processing electronics 802 maybe configured to transmit radar data to display 20, and display 20 maybe configured to display the radar data on a display screen (e.g., aplan view display, detailed vertical display, etc.). Processingelectronics 802 may be configured to transmit radar scan status data todisplay 20, and display 20 may be configured to display one or moreindicators or icons in the display image to indicate the radar scanningstatus of various weather cells illustrated in the display image.

The motion of the aircraft may be determined by processing electronics802 based on data received from aircraft sensors 812 (e.g., GPS data,compass data, etc.), avionics equipment 810 (e.g., throttle information,velocity information, etc.), or from radar returns relative to a knownlocation (e.g., a landmark, a reference location, etc.). The data may beindirectly or directly indicative of the speed and direction of theaircraft. For example, processing electronics 802 may directly receivespeed and direction data from avionics equipment 810. In anotherexample, processing electronics may determine the speed and direction ofthe aircraft by comparing GPS locations.

Processing electronics 802 may determine the motion of detected weatherusing data received from aircraft sensors 812 (e.g., GPS data, compassdata, etc.), avionics equipment 810 (e.g., throttle information,velocity information, etc.), or from radar returns. For example,processing electronics 802 may maintain a history of detected weatherand compare the data over time to determine the speed, direction, andrange of the detected weather. In another example, processingelectronics 802 may estimate the speed and direction of the weatherusing data received from a radar system located remotely from theaircraft. In some embodiments, processing electronics 802 may alsoidentify and track a centroid of the weather, in order to determine themotion of the detected weather.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a detailed block diagram of processingelectronics 802 of FIG. 8 is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Processing electronics 802 includes a memory 906 andprocessor 904. Processor 904 may be or include one or moremicroprocessors, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), acircuit containing one or more processing components, a group ofdistributed processing components, circuitry for supporting amicroprocessor, or other hardware configured for processing. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, processor 904 is configured to executecomputer code stored in memory 906 to complete and facilitate theactivities described herein. Memory 906 can be any volatile ornon-volatile computer-readable medium capable of storing data orcomputer code relating to the activities described herein. For example,memory 906 is shown to include modules 916-922 which are computer codemodules (e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code,machine code, etc.) configured for execution by processor 904. Whenexecuted by processor 904, processing electronics 802 is configured tocomplete the activities described herein. Processing electronicsincludes hardware circuitry for supporting the execution of the computercode of modules 916-922. For example, processing electronics 802includes hardware interfaces (e.g., output 908) for communicatingcontrol signals (e.g., analog, digital) from processing electronics 802to circuit 804 and to provide signals to other devices such as display20, audio devices 814, and other user interface devices 816. Processingelectronics 802 may also include an input 910 for receiving, forexample, radar return data from circuit 804, feedback signals fromcircuit 804, or for receiving data from user interface devices (e.g.,display 20, other user interface devices 816, etc.) or other systems(e.g., aircraft sensors 812, avionics equipment 810, etc.).

Memory 906 includes a memory buffer 912 for receiving and storing radarreturn data and other data. For example, a forward looking terrainalerting algorithm, an object detection module, predictive windshearmodule 916, weather detection module 922, or another process thatutilizes radar return data may access buffer 912. The radar return datastored in memory 906 may be stored according to a variety of schemes orformats. For example, the radar return data may be stored in an x,y orx,y,z format, a heading-up format, a north-up format, alatitude-longitude format, or any other suitable format for storingspatial-relative information. Memory buffer 912 may also store airplaneparameters related to the operational state of the aircraft receivedfrom aircraft sensors 812 or avionics equipment 810.

Memory 906 further includes configuration data 914. Configuration data914 may include data relating to radar system 200 that is used to affectthe operation of radar system 200. For example, configuration data 914may include beam pattern data which may be data that beam control module920 can interpret to determine how to command circuit 402 to sweep aradar beam. For example, configuration data 914 may include informationregarding maximum and minimum azimuth angles of horizontal radar beamsweeps, timing information, speed of movement information, and the like.In some embodiments, configuration data 914 may also be configured tostore one or more identifiers for weather cells that have been selectedto be tracked (e.g., automatically or by a user).

Memory 906 is also shown to include weather detection module 922 whichincludes logic for using radar returns in memory buffer 912 to conductone or more determinations relating to weather. For example, weatherdetection module 922 may be configured to determine a gain level orother display setting for display of the radar returns on a weatherradar display (e.g., on display 20). Weather detection module 922 mayfurther be configured to distinguish terrain returns from weatherreturns. Weather detection module 922 may also determine when weather ishazardous, determine characteristics of detected weather, or conduct anyother processing steps (e.g., filtering) relative to the radar returndata for providing a display or warning in the aircraft.

In some embodiments, weather detection module 922 may also track thecentroids or outlines of detected weather. The centroid or weatheroutline information may be used by weather detection module 922 todetermine a characteristic of detected weather. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 7,307,577 to Kronfeld et al. discloses a method of using weathercentroid data to determine the maximum height of a detected weather cellor portion thereof, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Weather detection module 922 uses the radar returns in memory buffer 912to generate one or more views of weather. Weather detection module 922also provides generated views to one or more electronic displays, suchas display 20. For example, radar returns in memory buffer 912 may beused to generate a plan view of weather. In another example, radarreturns in memory 912 from a radar sweep may be used to generate avertical profile view for display 20. Any number of different views maybe generated by weather detection module 922 and provided to display 20.

Memory 906 is further shown to include beam control module 920. Beamcontrol module 920 may be an algorithm for commanding circuit 402 tosweep a radar beam. Beam control module 920 may be used, for example, tosend one or more analog or digital control signals to circuit 402. Thecontrol signals may be, for example, an instruction to move the antennamechanically, an instruction to conduct an electronic beam sweep in acertain way, an instruction to move the radar beam to the left by fivedegrees, etc. Beam control module 920 may be configured to controltiming of the beam sweeps or movements relative to aircraft speed,flight path information, transmission or reception characteristics fromradar system 200 or otherwise. Beam control module 920 may receive datafrom configuration data 914 for configuring the movement of the radarbeam.

In some embodiments, beam control module 920 may also receive a targetvalue for directing radar sweeps. Beam control module 920 uses thetarget value to control the direction at which radar sweeps are made.For example, a target value from a user interface device (e.g., display20, other user interface devices 816, etc.) may be used by beam controlmodule 920 to direct radar antenna 806 in a specified direction. Beamcontrol module 920 may also use adjusted target values (e.g., fromtarget value adjustment module 918) to reposition the direction of radarantenna 806.

Memory 906 further includes a predictive windshear module 916 whichincludes logic for using radar returns in memory buffer 912 to detectthe presence or absence of microbursts or windshear. Predictivewindshear module 916 may include or be coupled to a weather database orother memory including weather data such as microburst down-flow models.Predictive windshear module 916 may be configured to use radar returninformation or information derived by radar return information withweather data stored in a weather database or other memory.

Predictive windshear module 916 may also be configured to automaticallyactivate radar system 200, based on the operational state determined byaircraft status module 918 (e.g., during takeoff, during landing, etc.).For example, predictive windshear module 916 may automatically activateradar antenna 806 during a landing when the aircraft reaches a givenaltitude threshold. In another example, predictive windshear module 916may automatically activate radar system 200 during takeoff, providedcertain aircraft conditions or qualifiers are met. For example,predictive windshear module 916 may determine that the aircraft is aboutto take off based on a weight on wheels determination, the enginethrottle, the velocity of the aircraft, or any other aircraft parameterassociated with takeoffs.

Memory 906 may also include scan status module 918. Scan status module918 is configured to determine a scan status for one or more weathercells and to transmit data regarding the scan status of the weathercells to display 20. After receiving the scan status data, display 20 isconfigured to display one or more indicators or icons (e.g., overlaid ona standard radar display image) indicating the scan status of theweather cells to the pilot. For example, a first icon may indicate thatan associated weather cell is currently being scanned by radar system200. Another icon may indicate that associated weather cells havepreviously been scanned by radar system 200. Yet another icon mayindicate that previously obtained radar data for associated cells hasbecome old or expired. Another icon may indicate that a weather cell hasbeen selected for scanning by radar system 200 but has not yet beenscanned. Still further icons may indicate whether a weather cell wasselected for tracking automatically (e.g., according to a hazardassessment algorithm) or manually (e.g., by a user using a user inputdevice). According to various embodiments, other types of indicators maybe used to indicate various other status states for the radar data.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of a process 1000 for providingradar scan status data is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Insome embodiments, process 1000 may be implemented using instructionsstored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 906) that areexecutable by a processor (e.g., processor 904).

At step 1005, data may be received at a processing circuit from aweather radar system indicating a weather cell that is currently beingscanned. In some embodiments, the processing circuit may be configuredto control the operation of the weather radar system, and receiving datafrom the weather radar system may not be necessary to determine ascanning status of the system (e.g., it may be stored in a memory, orthe processing circuit may be aware of the status from the commands ithas transmitted to the radar system). In another embodiment, system 800may provide data indicating location or antenna control values (e.g.,tilt, azimuth angle, etc.) regarding where the radar is scanningProcessor 802 may use this information to determine what cells are beingscanned.

At step 1010, data may be transmitted from the processing circuit to adisplay device, and the display device may be configured to displayradar data in response to receiving the data from the processingcircuit. The data transmitted by the processing circuit may include scanstatus data identifying a weather cell that is currently being scanned.The display device may be configured to display an indicator or icon ina display image (e.g., overlaid on the standard radar image) identifyingthe weather cell that is currently being scanned. For example, in someembodiments, the processing circuit may be configured to generate astandard weather radar display image illustrating various weather cellsand/or hazards in the area of the aircraft and then insert one or moreindicators or icons over the image at positions corresponding to one ormore portions of weather cells for which status indicators are beingprovided.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow diagram of another process 1100 forproviding radar scan status data is shown according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some embodiments, process 1000 may be implemented usinginstructions stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 906)that are executable by a processor (e.g., processor 904).

At step 1105, a processing circuit may be configured to determine one ormore weather cells to be tracked or scanned by a weather radar system.The processing circuit may be configured to determine weather cells tobe tracked automatically (e.g., based on a hazard assessment algorithm)or manually based on user input (e.g., via user selection of one or morecells displayed in a radar display image).

At step 1110, in some embodiments, the processing circuit may beconfigured to transmit data to the display device indicating the one ormore weather cells that have been selected for scanning. The displaydevice may be configured to display indicators or icons that inform thepilot which cells have been selected to be scanned. In some embodiments,the pilot may be enabled to alter the selection of cells to be scannedusing a user input device, such as a touchscreen display, bezel keys,etc.

At step 1115, the processing circuit data may be received at aprocessing circuit from a weather radar system indicating a weather cellthat is currently being scanned. At step 1120, data may be transmittedfrom the processing circuit to a display device, and the display devicemay be configured to display radar data in response to receiving thedata from the processing circuit. The data transmitted by the processingcircuit may include scan status data identifying a weather cell that iscurrently being scanned. The display device may be configured to displayan indicator or icon in a display image (e.g., overlaid on the standardradar image) identifying the weather cell that is currently beingscanned. In some embodiments, if multiple cells have been identified tobe tracked, the type of icon used to indicate active scanning of a cellmay be moved from cell to cell as the cells are being actively (e.g.,currently) scanned by the weather radar system.

At step 1120, the processing circuit may receive data from the weatherradar system indicating that the scan of a particular weather cell hasbeen completed. At step 1125, the processing circuit may transmit scanstatus data to the display indicating the weather cell for which thescanning process has been completed and/or a new weather cell that isbeing scanned. The display device may be configured to display anindicator or icon in the display image indicating that the scan of theweather cell has been completed. The display device may provide anindicator for the new weather cell showing that the new cell iscurrently being scanned. In some embodiments, the processing circuit maybe configured to transmit scan status data to the display that causesthe display to show multiple cells for which advanced radar scans havebeen completed (e.g., recently).

Weather patterns may change as time passes, and, in some embodiments,the processing circuit may be configured to provide an indication whenscans may no longer be current or safe to rely upon. At step 1135, theprocessing circuit may be configured to determine that a predeterminedamount of time has elapsed since the scan of a particular weather cellwas completed. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of time maybe a static value or values stored in a memory. In other embodiments,the amount of time may be determined dynamically (e.g., based upon theseverity of the weather cell).

At step 1140, the processing circuit may be configured to transmit datato the display device indicating that the scan data for a particularcell may no longer be current (e.g., is expired). The display device maybe configured to display an altered image that indicates to the pilotthat the scan data is no longer current for the particular cell. In someembodiments, a different indicator may be provided for the cellindicating that the cell was previously subjected to an advanced scanbut that the data is old. In other embodiments, the icon indicating thatcell had been scanned may be removed from the display image (e.g., suchthat the cell appears in a similar or the same manner as a cell that hadnot been scanned).

Unless otherwise specified, numerical descriptions associated with termssuch as indicators (e.g., first indicator, second indicator, thirdindicator, fourth indicator, etc.) should not be interpreted as implyingan order in which items are provided, presented, or displayed. While, insome embodiments, indicators may be displayed according to the numericalorder of their associated descriptions (i.e., a first indicator may bedisplayed first, a second indicator may be displayed second, etc.), thismay not be the case for other exemplary embodiments. Numericaldescriptions are often provided in the present disclosure todifferentiate between types of indicators (e.g., a first indicator maybe of a different type than a second indicator). For example, in variousembodiments, a first indicator may be displayed before a secondindicator and a third indicator, before the third indicator but afterthe second indicator, after both the second and third indicators, afterthe third indicator and before the second indicator, etc. Further, insome embodiments, the first indicator may be displayed after one or moreother indicators (e.g., the second or third indicators); the term“first” is not intended to imply that the first indicator is displayedbefore all other indicators. In various embodiments, indicators may beprovided, presented, or displayed in any order or arrangement.

Various exemplary systems and method described herein provide weatherradar system status information to users so that the users have greaterawareness of the operation of the weather radar system, such as whethera particular cell is currently being scanned, has recently been scanned,has been selected to be scanned, etc. Further, various exemplaryembodiments described herein allow a pilot to judge latency orresponsiveness of the system to weather events through use of the moredetailed radar scan status information. Further still, various exemplaryembodiments described herein provide a pilot with an indication that anoperation is being performed by the weather radar system (e.g., anadvanced or non-standard scanning operation) and reassure the pilot thatthe system has not malfunctioned. For example, by providing an icon on adisplay indicating that a cell is currently being subjected to adetailed weather radar scan, the pilot knows that the weather radarsystem is simply busy performing the detailed scan of the particularcell and has not malfunctioned or locked up onto a particular displayscreen.

The disclosure is described above with reference to drawings. Thesedrawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments thatimplement the systems and methods and programs of the presentdisclosure. However, describing the disclosure with drawings should notbe construed as imposing on the disclosure any limitations that may bepresent in the drawings. The present disclosure contemplates methods,systems and program products on any machine-readable media foraccomplishing its operations. The embodiments of the present disclosuremay be implemented using an existing computer processor, or by a specialpurpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose orby a hardwired system. No claim element herein is to be construed underthe provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element isexpressly recited using the phrase “means for.” Furthermore, no element,component or method step in the present disclosure is intended to bededicated to the public, regardless of whether the element, component ormethod step is explicitly recited in the claims.

As noted above, embodiments within the scope of the present disclosureinclude program products comprising machine-readable media for carryingor having machine-executable instructions or data structures storedthereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium (e.g., non-transitory medium) which can be used to carry orstore desired program code in the form of machine-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofmachine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, forexample, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer,special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machine toperform a certain function or group of functions.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the general context ofmethod steps which may be implemented in one embodiment by a programproduct including machine-executable instructions, such as program code,for example, in the form of program modules executed by machines innetworked environments. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Machine-executable instructions, associated data structures, and programmodules represent examples of program code for executing steps of themethods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represent examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

An exemplary system for implementing the overall system or portions ofthe disclosure might include a general purpose computing device in theform of a computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, and asystem bus that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read onlymemory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The computer may alsoinclude a magnetic hard disk drive for reading from and writing to amagnetic hard disk, a magnetic disk drive for reading from or writing toa removable magnetic disk, and an optical disk drive for reading from orwriting to a removable optical disk such as a CD ROM or other opticalmedia. The drives and their associated machine-readable media providenonvolatile storage of machine-executable instructions, data structures,program modules, and other data for the computer.

It should be noted that although the flowcharts provided herein show aspecific order of method steps, it is understood that the order of thesesteps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may beperformed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation willdepend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. It is understood that all such variations are within the scopeof the disclosure. Likewise, software and web implementations of thepresent disclosure could be accomplished with standard programmingtechniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish thevarious database searching steps, correlation steps, comparison stepsand decision steps. It should also be noted that the word “component” asused herein and in the claims is intended to encompass implementationsusing one or more lines of software code, and/or hardwareimplementations, and/or equipment for receiving manual inputs.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the disclosure have beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise formdisclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principalsof the disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled inthe art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing weather data generated by aweather radar system of an aircraft, the method comprising: providingscan status data indicating that a weather cell is currently beingscanned by the weather radar system to a display device, wherein thedisplay device is configured to display an indication that the weathercell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan status data,providing second scan status data indicating that a second weather cellwas previously scanned by the weather radar system, wherein the displaydevice is configured to display an indication that the second weathercell was previously scanned after receiving the second scan status data,and providing third scan status data after a predetermined time periodfrom a time at which the second weather cell was scanned by the weatherradar system has elapsed, wherein the display device is configured toremove the indication that the second weather cell was previouslyscanned after receiving the third scan status data.
 2. A method ofproviding weather data generated by a weather radar system of anaircraft, the method comprising: providing scan status data indicatingthat a weather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radarsystem to a display device, wherein the display device is configured todisplay an indication that the weather cell is currently being scannedafter receiving the scan status data, wherein the display device isconfigured to display a first indicator associated with the weather cellafter receiving the scan status data indicating that the weather cell iscurrently being scanned by the weather radar system, and wherein themethod further comprises providing scan status data configured to causethe display device to display: a second indicator associated with theweather cell after the weather cell has been selected to be scannedusing the weather radar system, and a third indicator associated withthe weather cell after the weather radar system has finished scanningthe weather cell.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providingsecond scan status data indicating that a second weather cell waspreviously scanned by the weather radar system, wherein the displaydevice is configured to display an indication that the second weathercell was previously scanned after receiving the second scan status data.4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing weather datacomprising information regarding one or more characteristics of thesecond weather cell to the display device, wherein the display device isconfigured to display the information regarding the one or morecharacteristics of the second weather cell after receiving the weatherdata.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the display device is configuredto display the information regarding the one or more characteristics ofthe second weather cell based on a selection of the second weather cellreceived from a user input device.
 6. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising providing third scan status data after a predetermined timeperiod from a time at which the second weather cell was scanned by theweather radar system has elapsed, wherein the display device isconfigured to remove the indication that the second weather cell waspreviously scanned after receiving the third scan status data.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the weather cell is a first weather cell of aplurality of weather cells, and wherein the method further comprisesselecting the first weather cell to scan using the weather radar systemwithout receiving a manual selection of the first weather cell from auser.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the weather cell is a firstweather cell of a plurality of weather cells, and wherein the methodfurther comprises selecting the first weather cell to scan using theweather radar system based on input received from a user input device.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the input represents a user selectionof a portion of the first weather cell displayed on the display device.10. The method of claim 2, wherein the second indicator comprisesdifferent indicators based on whether the weather cell is selected to bescanned with or without receiving input from a user input device.
 11. Asystem comprising: a processing circuit configured to provide first scanstatus data or a first scan status signal indicating that a weather cellis currently being scanned by the weather radar system to a displaydevice, wherein the display device displays an indication that theweather cell is currently being scanned after the processing circuitprovides the first scan status data or first scan status signal, whereinthe processing circuit is configured to provide second scan status dataor a second scan status signal to the display device indicating that asecond weather cell was previously scanned by the weather radar system,wherein the display device displays an indication that the secondweather cell was previously scanned the processing circuit provides thesecond scan status data or the second scan status signal, wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to provide third scan status data or athird scan status signal after a predetermined time period from a timeat which the second weather cell was scanned by the weather radar systemhas elapsed, wherein the display device removes the indication that thesecond weather cell was previously scanned after the processing circuitprovides the third scan status data or the third scan status signal. 12.A system comprising: a processing circuit configured to provide scanstatus data or a scan status signal indicating that a weather cell iscurrently being scanned by the weather radar system to a display deviceand configured to cause the display the display device to display afirst indicator associated with the weather cell indicating that theweather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system, andwherein the processing circuit is further configured to provide the scanstatus data or the scan status signal configured to cause the displaydevice to display: a second indicator associated with the weather cellafter the weather cell has been selected to be scanned using the weatherradar system, and a third indicator associated with the weather cellafter the weather radar system has finished scanning the weather cell.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing circuit is configuredto provide second scan status data or a second scan status signal to thedisplay device indicating that a second weather cell was previouslyscanned by the weather radar system, wherein the display device isconfigured to display an indication that the second weather cell waspreviously scanned after receiving the second scan status data or thesecond scan status signal.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to provide third scan status data or athird scan status signal after a predetermined time period from a timeat which the second weather cell was scanned by the weather radar systemhas elapsed, wherein the display device is configured to remove theindication that the second weather cell was previously scanned afterreceiving the third scan status data or the third scan status signal.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the second indicator comprisesdifferent indicators based on whether the first weather cell is selectedto be scanned with or without receiving input from a user input device.16. The system of claim 11, further comprising the display device, thedisplay device being configured to display an indication that theweather cell is currently being scanned after receiving the scan statusdata.
 17. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon,the instructions being executable by a processor to implement a methodcomprising: transmitting first scan status data indicating that aweather cell is currently being scanned by the weather radar system fordisplaying a first indication that the weather cell is currently beingscanned; transmitting second scan status data after the weather radarsystem has finished scanning the weather cell for displaying a secondindication that the scan of the weather cell has been completed; andtransmitting third scan status data after a predetermined time periodfrom a time at which the scan of the weather cell was completed haselapsed for removing the second indication.
 18. A computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions beingexecutable by a processor method comprising: transmitting first scanstatus data indicating that a weather cell is currently being scanned bythe weather radar system to a display device, wherein the display devicedisplays a first indication that the weather cell is currently beingscanned after receiving the first scan status data; and transmittingsecond scan status data after the weather radar system has finishedscanning the weather cell, wherein the display device displays a secondindication that the scan of the weather cell has been completed afterreceiving the second scan status data, and wherein the method furthercomprises transmitting third scan status data configured to cause thedisplay device to display: a third indication associated with theweather cell after the weather cell has been selected to be scannedusing the weather radar system.
 19. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 18, wherein the method further comprises transmitting third scanstatus data after a predetermined time period from a time at which thescan of the weather cell was completed has elapsed, wherein the displaydevice is configured to remove the second indication from the displayafter receiving the third scan status data.
 20. The computer-readablemedium of claim 18, wherein the third indication comprises differentindicators based on whether the weather cell is selected to be scannedwith or without receiving input from a user input device.